Michael Rogers has resigned from his position as the UCI’s Head of Innovation and Esport, causing a void in the governing body’s leadership barely four months before the Paris Olympics. The upcoming Esport World Championships under the new format are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi this October.
The ex-World Time Trial Champion of three times served a significant role in the UCI for three and a half years, participating in the implementation of new equipment regulations and controls for the Olympics, combating mechanical doping, promoting the SafeR race safety initiative, and introducing the new model Esports World Championships.
In the past few months, the UCI has altered its rules pertaining to equipment in numerous sectors, igniting discussion and skepticism about its intentions.
Recently, the UCI sanctioned the use of Giro Aerohead II time trial helmet, a revolutionary and noticeable design, whilst banning the use of the Specialized head sock that has been used since 2022. They declared a reassessment of their existing rules governing helmet design, “a broader trend in time trial helmet design that increasingly prioritizes performance over the basic helmet function.”
Previously, Rogers dismissed the rumor of leaving the UCI or transitioning roles due to internal conflicts within the governing body of the sport. However, an email that Cyclingnews had sight of confirms his departure from the UCI ended on March 31. He also briefly announced this on Linkedin.
The Australian wrote, “After a remarkable 3.5 years at the UCI, it’s time for my goodbye.”
“This interesting chapter was filled with memorable travelling experiences, cooperation, challenges, time for reflection, crucial learning opportunities, and friendships with employees, commissaires, and external partners. I am excited about our paths intersecting again in the near future!”
Rogers didn’t disclose his future plans.
After his retirement due to a congenital heart defect in spring 2016, he collaborated on several projects with Bjarne Riis, and later with NTT Pro Cycling team as a technical partner manager.
Throughout his extensive professional career, Rogers competed for teams such as Mapei, T-Mobile, HTC-Columbia, Team Sky, and Tinkoff-Saxo. His accolades include winning time-trial world titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005, a stage triumph at both Tour de France and two stages of the Giro d’Italia in 2014, the Tour Down Under in 2002, and the overall crown at the 2010 Tour of California. He participated in the Tour de France eleven times, securing a ninth place overall in 2006.
Rogers tested positive for Clenbuterol after the Japan Cup in 2013. However, he did not get banned, justifying the result was due to tainted meat consumption in China.
According to the email seen by Cyclingnews, Rogers suggested that his duties would be temporarily distributed among UCI staff. Andrei Krasilnikau and Thibault Gerard will now manage ‘equipment topics’, while Jacob Fraser and Sam Greminger will handle correspondence concerning Esports.
